For years, blood pressure was something most of us thought about only when someone placed a cuff around our arm at the doctor’s office.  Today, we know that readings taken at home can provide valuable additional information.  Blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day. Stress, activity, caffeine and even the experience of sitting in a … Continue reading “Your Blood Pressure at Home May Tell Us Something Your Office Reading Doesn’t”

When we think about the numbers that matter for our health, we usually think about blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and perhaps the number on the scale.  There’s another measure worth paying attention to as we get older:  How strong are you?  Beginning in adulthood, we gradually lose muscle mass as we age. Over time, … Continue reading “Muscle Is Medicine: Why Strength Matters More as We Age”

We often think exercise has to involve a gym, workout clothes, or at least 30 minutes carved out of an already busy day. But one of the simplest things you can do for your health may happen right after you put down your fork.  Take a walk  Research has found that walking for just 10 … Continue reading “The 10-Minute Walk: Why What You Do After Dinner Matters”

Foods that Fight Inflammation  What does an anti-inflammatory diet do? Your immune system becomes activated when your body recognizes anything that is foreign-such as an invading microbe, plant pollen, or chemical. This often triggers a process called inflammation. Intermittent bouts of inflammation directed at truly threatening invaders protect your health.  However, sometimes inflammation persists, day in and … Continue reading “Healthy Aging & Longevity”

Staying Healthy When Away From Home   Check CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.  Make an appointment with your healthcare provider or a travel health specialist that takes place at least 4-6 weeks before you leave. They can help … Continue reading “Travel Smart”

Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat  For many people, warm weather is a time for fun-filled outdoor activities. However, hot weather and outdoor activities don’t always mix well, especially during periods of extreme heat— times when temperatures are substantially hotter and/or more humid than average for a location and date.  Extreme heat can cause people to suffer … Continue reading “Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat”

How the Brain Creates New Memories While Still Maintaining Old Ones  While sleep may feel like a time of rest, the body is actually engaged in a range of processes, including the creation of new memories. Research shows that the new memories we make are reactivated during sleep for several days after they are first created. So, how … Continue reading “How the Brain Creates New Memories”

The Benefits of Living Moment by Moment  Paying attention to what’s going on right this second can be hard. We often spend more time thinking about what’s coming up in the future. Or dwelling on things in the past we can’t change. We can miss out on experiencing the present.  It’s possible to train yourself to focus on the present moment. You become aware of what’s going on inside … Continue reading “Mindfulness For Your Health”

Breathe Better Indoors and Out  You can’t see most air pollution. You can’t smell much of it, either. But polluted air—both outdoors and indoors—can still affect your health.  “Nearly everyone on the planet is exposed to unhealthy air at least some of the time,” says Dr. Stavros Garantziotis, a lung doctor and researcher at NIH.  Breathing polluted air doesn’t just affect the lungs. … Continue reading “Protect Against Air Pollution”

Green Smoothie Ingredients: 2 cups packed baby spinach 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk 1 small very ripe banana ½ cup frozen mango chunks ½ cup frozen pineapple chunks 1 tablespoon chia seeds Instructions: Combine spinach, almond milk, banana, frozen mango, frozen pineapple and chia seeds in a blender Process until smooth, about 1 minute … Continue reading “Green Smoothie”